Immortals

Two activist-survivors navigate the aftermath of Iraq’s 2019 October protests in this extraordinary collaborative portrait of contemporary Iraq.

Melak Mahdi, aka Milo, is a feminist – and an optimist. Her participation in the protests that eventually saw hundreds killed by Iraqi security forces and state-backed armed groups incurred the wrath of her conservative family, who burned her clothes, possessions and passport. But she has found a freedom of sorts by dressing as her brother to walk Baghdad’s streets, helping other women and dreaming of a bigger life. Meanwhile, photographer Mohammed Al Khalili spent six months living in the tent city in Tahrir Square during the uprising, putting his life on the line to document everything he saw. The experience physically and mentally traumatised him, but with a marriage on the cards and new protests calling him, he picks up his camera again.

Working together with director Maja Tschumi, Milo and Khalili tell their stories with disarming candour, agency and authenticity. Combining Khalili’s kinetic and incendiary frontline footage with seamless re-enactments and first-person testimonials, the visually striking and cinematic Immortals captures the energy and passion of the demonstrations and explores the fallout of a failed revolution on the young people who nevertheless refuse to give up hope.

“Impressive [and] arresting … An insightful account of what it is to be young in Iraq right now.” – Screen Daily